Sufyan Garoushi

Physical properties and depth of cure of a new short fiber reinforced composite

OBJECTIVES To determine the physical properties and curing depth of a new short fiber composite intended for posterior large restorations (everX Posterior) in comparison to different commercial posterior composites (Alert, TetricEvoCeram Bulk Fill, Voco X-tra base, SDR, Venus Bulk Fill, SonicFill, Filtek Bulk Fill, Filtek Superme, and Filtek Z250). In addition, length of fiber fillers of composite XENIUS base compared to the previously introduced composite Alert has been measured. MATERIALS AND METHODS The following properties were examined according to ISO standard 4049: flexural strength, flexural modulus, fracture toughness, polymerization shrinkage and depth of cure. The mean and standard deviation were determined and all results were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance ANOVA (a=0.05). RESULTS XENIUS base composite exhibited the highest fracture toughness (4.6MPam(1/2)) and flexural strength (124.3MPa) values and the lower shrinkage strain (0.17%) among the materials tested. Alert composite revealed the highest flexural modulus value (9.9GPa), which was not significantly different from XENIUS base composite (9.5GPa). Depth of cure of XENIUS base (4.6mm) was similar than those of bulk fill composites and higher than other hybrid composites. The length of fiber fillers in XENIUS base was longer (1.3-2mm) than in Alert (20-60μm). CONCLUSIONS The new short fiber composite differed significantly in its physical properties compared to other materials tested. This suggests that the latter could be used in high-stress bearing areas.

Depth of cure and surface microhardness of experimental short fiber-reinforced composite

Objectives. The aim of this study was to analyze the depth of cure of a short fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) assessed by microhardness at different curing times and storage conditions. Material and methods. Experimental composite resin (FC) was prepared by high-speed mixing 22.5 wt% short E-glass fibers (3 mm in length) and 22.5 wt% resin matrix and gradually adding 55 wt% silane-treated silica filler. Half-split cylindrical test specimens were produced from both the FC and from the conventional particulate composite resin (control, Z250, 3M-ESPE). The test specimens (n=3/group) were polymerized at different exposure times (20, 40, 60 s) and then water-stored at 37°C for 24 h and 30 days before testing. A universal testing machine was used for testing Vickers microhardness. All results were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results. ANOVA revealed that curing time had a significant effect (p<0.05) on the microhardness of both composite resins. Depth of cure of conventional composite resin (control) was significantly greater than that of FC (p<0.05). Microhardness after water storage decreased as curing time increased. Conclusions. The use of short fiber fillers in interpenetrating polymer network matrix (IPN) achieved the acceptable depth of cure and microhardness values recommended for clinical use, although lower than for commercial composite resin.

Preliminary Clinical Evaluation of Short Fiber-Reinforced Composite Resin in Posterior Teeth: 12-Months Report

This preliminary clinical trial evaluated 12 month clinical performance of novel filling composite resin system which combines short fiber-reinforced composite resin and conventional particulate filler composite resin in high stress bearing applications. A total of 37 class I and II restorations (compound and complex type) were placed in 6 premolars and 31 molars. The restorations were reviewed clinically at 6 months (baseline) and 12 months using modified USPHS codes change criteria for marginal adaptation, post-operative sensitivity, pulpal pain and secondary caries criteria. Photographs and x-rays were obtained for restorative analysis. Results of 12 months evaluation showed 5 restorations having little marginal leakage (B score) and 1 patient had minor pulpal symptom and post-operative sensitivity (B score). No secondary caries or bulk fracture was detected. The majority of restorations exhibited A scores of the evaluated criteria. After 12 months, restorations combining base of short fiber reinforced composite resin as substructure and surface layer of hybrid composite resin displayed promising performance in high load bearing areas.

Mechanical properties, fracture resistance, and fatigue limits of short fiber reinforced dental composite resin.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Cycling masticatory loads decrease the strength of particulate filler composites (PFCs) and initiate the failure process by fatigue. The life expectancy of a composite resin restoration under stress remains difficult to predict. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the fracture resistance and the compressive fatigue limits (CFL) of anterior crown restorations made of a short-fiber reinforced composite resin (SFC), to investigate selected mechanical properties of the material following standard test methods, and to observe their correlation with the CFL. MATERIAL AND METHODS Specimens (n=10) were fabricated either from SFC (everX Posterior, GC Corp) or PFC (G-ænial anterior, GC Corp). The properties investigated were flexural strength (FS), compression strength (CS), diametral-tensile strength (DTS), and single-edge-notched-bend fracture toughness (FT) following ISO standards. Fracture resistance was determined by static load (n=10) and the CFL at 10000 cycles was determined using a staircase approach (n=20), both on anterior composite resin crowns. The results were analyzed with 1-way ANOVA (α=.05) or 2-way ANOVA (α=.05) followed by a Tukey B post hoc test and the Pearson-correlation analysis. RESULTS The SFC crowns had higher fracture resistance (954 ±121 N) than the PFC crowns (415 ±75 N) (P<.001) and higher CFL (267 ±23 N) than the PFC crowns (135 ±64 N) (P<.001). SFC revealed also higher FT (2.6 ±0.6 MPa·m(1/2)) than the PFC (1.0 ±0.2 MPa·m(1/2)) (F=69.313, P<.001). A significant correlation was observed only between the FT and the CFL (r(2)=0.899; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS SFC crowns showed good performance under static and fatigue loading. FT was the only in vitro test method that filtered as a clinically relevant parameter.

Continuous and Short Fiber Reinforced Composite in Root Post-Core System of Severely Damaged Incisors

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine the static load-bearing capacity of endodontically treated maxillary incisors restored with post-core complex made of experimental fiber composite resin (FC) and complete crown made of particulate filler composite (PFC). Further aim was to evaluate the effect of FC resin on the failure mode of the restoration. MATERIAL AND METHODS The experimental composite resin (FC) was prepared by mixing 22.5 wt% of short E-glass fibers (3 mm in length) and 22.5 wt% of semi-interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) resin with 55 wt% of silane treated silica fillers. Thirty extracted sound upper central incisors were used. Twenty teeth were prepared by cutting the clinical crown 2 mm above the cemento-enamel junction horizontally. Restorations were made by two techniques (n=10). Group A (control group) contained samples of sound incisor teeth. Group B had teeth restored using glass fiber post (everStick, Stick- Teck) and PFC (Filtek Z250, 3M-ESPE) to build up core and complete crown. In Group C, the teeth were restored with FC as post-core and complete crown of PFC. The root canals were prepared and posts were cemented with a dual cure resin cement. The restorations were polymerized with a hand-light curing unit. All restored teeth were stored in water at room temperature for 24 h before they were statically loaded with speed of 1.0 mm/min until fracture. Data were analyzed using ANOVA (p=0.05). Failure modes were visually examined. RESULTS ANOVA revealed that restored incisors (Group B and C) had a statistically significantly lower load-bearing capacity (p<0.05) than the control group. Restorations made from FC post-core and PFC coverage (Group C) gave force value of 363 N (112 SD), which was higher than the value of Group B (211 N, 50 SD). CONCLUSIONS Within the limitations of this study, the teeth restored with experimental fiber composite post-core demonstrated higher load bearing capacity than those with fiber post and PFC core.

The influence of framework design on the load-bearing capacity of laboratory-made inlay-retained fibre-reinforced composite fixed dental prostheses.

Delamination of the veneering composite is frequently encountered with fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) fixed dental prosthesis (FDPs). The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of framework design on the load-bearing capacity of laboratory-made three-unit inlay-retained FRC-FDPs. Inlay-retained FRC-FDPs replacing a lower first molar were constructed. Seven framework designs were evaluated: PFC, made of particulate filler composite (PFC) without fibre-reinforcement; FRC1, one bundle of unidirectional FRC; FRC2, two bundles of unidirectional FRC; FRC3, two bundles of unidirectional FRC covered by two pieces of short unidirectional FRC placed perpendicular to the main framework; SFRC1, two bundles of unidirectional FRC covered by new experimental short random-orientated FRC (S-FRC) and veneered with 1.5 mm of PFC; SFRC2, completely made of S-FRC; SFRC3, two bundles of unidirectional FRC covered by S-FRC. Load-bearing capacity was determined for two loading conditions (n = 6): central fossa loading and buccal cusp loading. FRC-FDPs with a modified framework design made of unidirectional FRC and S-FRC exhibited a significant higher load-bearing capacity (p<0.05) (927+/-74 N) than FRC-FDPs with a conventional framework design (609+/-119 N) and PFC-FDPs (702+/-86 N). Central fossa loading allowed significant higher load-bearing capacities than buccal cusp loading. This study revealed that all S-FRC frameworks exhibited comparable or higher load-bearing capacity in comparison to an already established improved framework design. So S-FRC seems to be a viable material for improving the framework of FRC-FDPs. Highest load-bearing capacity was observed with FRC frameworks made of a combination of unidirectional FRC and S-FRC.

Influence of staining solutions and whitening procedures on discoloration of hybrid composite resins

OBJECTIVES The aim was to evaluate the color stability and water uptake of two hybrid composite resins polymerized in two different conditions after exposure to commonly consumed beverages. In addition, the effect of repolishing and bleaching on the stained composite was evaluated. METHODS Eighty specimens (12 mm × 12 mm × 3 mm) were made from two hybrid composite resins of shade A2. Forty specimens of each composite were divided into two groups (n = 20 per each) according to the curing method used (hand light cure HLC or oven light cure OLC). Then each group (HLC or OLC) was sub-divided randomly into four sub-groups (n = 5), which were immersed for 60 days in different beverages (distal water, coffee, tea and pepsi) and incubated at 37°C. Water uptake was measured during this time and followed by measurement of color difference (ΔE) by using a spectrophotometer. After complete staining, repolishing (grit 4000 FEPA at 300 rpm under water) and bleaching (40% hydrogen peroxide bleaching gel) were conducted. The repolished and bleached specimens were submitted to new color measurements. RESULTS Color value of the specimens immersed in tea displayed the highest statistically significant (p < 0.05) mean color difference (ΔE) compared to other beverages, whereas the ΔE value of pepsi was significantly lower than the others. After staining of the composite resins, both the bleaching and repolishing were able to reduce the ΔE value. CONCLUSIONS All beverages used affected the color stability of tested composite resins. The effect of beverages on color change of composites depends on type of beverage and water uptake value of resins used. A superior whitening effect was obtained with repolishing technique compared to bleaching.

Fracture Load of Tooth Restored with Fiber Post and Experimental Short Fiber Composite

Purpose: This study evaluated the load bearing capacity of anatomically designed canines restored with FRC posts and experimental short fiber composite resin (FC). The effect of using three different types of tooth preparation and woven net on the fracture load was also investigated. Further aim was to evaluate the failure mode of each restoration. Material and methods: 80 maxillary frasaco-canines were divided into 10 groups (n=8). The anatomic crowns were cut perpendicular at CEJ of the tooth. Group 1 was composed of teeth with flattened surface. Groups 2, 3 & 4 were prepared of teeth with 2 mm ferrule. In the third group, everStick Net was applied above the ferrule. Group 5 was composed of teeth with large box type preparation. The root canals were enlarged, sandblasted and then surface treated with Stick resin for 5 min. Two types of FRC root canal posts were used. The crowns were prepared either with composite resin or with FC. A static load until failure was applied to the crowns at a 45 degrees angle. Failure modes were visually examined. Results: ANOVA revealed that use of FRC-post and tooth preparation (p<0.001) had significant effect on fracture load of FRC-crown. The crowns made from only FC gave comparable fracture load to groups with FRC-post. No significant difference was found in load-bearing capacity between restorations reinforced with FRC net-substructure and those without (p>0.001). Chi-square test revealed that both, crown design and existence of FRC-post effected significantly fracture types (p<0.001). Conclusion: FC demonstrated similar load bearing capacity with restorations reinforced with FRC post. The presence of ferrule around the tooth increased the load bearing capacity significantly. Abbreviations: EET – endodontically treated teeth; FRC – fiber-reinforced composite; semi-IPN – semi-interpenetrating network; CEJ – cementoenamel junction; FC – experimental short fiber composite; SiC – silicon carbide abrasive paper; N – newton; FEM – finite element method.

Fiber-reinforced composite substructure: Load-bearing capacity of an onlay restoration

Objective. To determine the static load-bearing capacity of composite resin onlay restorations made of particulate filler composite (PFC) with two different types of fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) substructures. Material and Methods. Specimens were prepared to simulate an onlay restoration, composed of a 2 to 3 mm FRC layer as the substructure (short random and continuous bidirectional fiber orientation) and a 1 mm surface layer of PFC. Control specimens were prepared from plain PFC. The specimens were incrementally polymerized with a hand-light curing unit for 40 s and then post-cured in a light-curing oven for 15 min. The specimens were cemented on dentin substrate of extracted human molars using a standard adhesive resin cementation technique. The specimens (n=8/group) were water stored either for 24 h at room temperature or for 4 weeks at 37°C before they were statically loaded until fracture using a universal testing machine. Failure modes were visually examined. Results. ANOVA revealed that all specimens with FRC substructures had higher values of static load-bearing capacity than those obtained with plain PFC (p<0.001). The load-bearing capacity of all the specimens decreased after water storage (p<0.001). Conclusions. Restorations made from a combination of FRC and PFC showed better load-bearing capacity than those obtained with PFC alone.

Adherence of Streptococcus mutans to Fiber-Reinforced Filling Composite and Conventional Restorative Materials.

Objectives. The aim was to investigate the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) to a short glass fibers reinforced semi-IPN polymer matrix composite resin. The effect of surface roughness on adhesion was also studied. For comparison, different commercial restorative materials were also evaluated. Materials and Methods. Experimental composite FC resin was prepared by mixing 22.5 wt% of short E-glass fibers, 22.5 wt% of IPN-resin and 55 wt% of silane treated silica fillers using high speed mixing machine. Three direct composite resins (Z250, Grandio and Nulite), resin-modified glass ionomers (Fuji II LC), amalgam (ANA 2000), fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) (everStick and Ribbond), and pre-fabricated ceramic filling insert (Cerana class 1) were tested in this study. Enamel and dentin were used as controls. The specimens (n=3/group) with or without saliva were incubated in a suspension of S. mutans allowing initial adhesion to occur. For the enumeration of cells on the disc surfaces as colony forming units (CFU) the vials with the microbe samples were thoroughly Vortex-treated and after serial dilutions grown anaerobically for 2 days at +37°C on Mitis salivarius agars (Difco) containing bacitracin. Bacterial adhesion was also evaluated by using scanning electron microscopy. Surface roughness (Ra) of the materials was also determined using a surface profilometer. All results were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results. Composite FC resin and other commercial restorative materials showed similar adhesion of S. mutans, while adhesion to dentin and enamel was significantly higher (p<0.05). Surface roughness had no effect on bacterial adhesion. Saliva coating significantly decreased the adhesion for all materials (p<0.05). Composite FC resin had a significantly higher Ra value than control groups (p<0.05). Conclusions. Short fiber-reinforced composite with semi-IPN polymer matrix revealed similar S. mutans adhesion than commercial restorative materials.